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Seneca 


Hercules  Fur ens 


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THE  LIBRARY 

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Mrs.   Elmer  T.   Merrill 


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HERCULES  WRENS: 


A  TKAGEDY  OF  SENECA. 


TRANSLATED    BY 


^Z>_AMIDES 


JAM  CyERULEIS  EVECTUS  EQNIS— Seneca 


MIDDLETOWN : 

AUGUSTUS  PUTNAM,  PUBLISHER 

1857. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress  in  the  year  1857, 

By  Augustus  Putnam, 
in  the  Clerks  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  Connecticut. 


Jf5'7 

HERCULES  FUBEN8. 


PERSONS  REPRESENTED. 

Juno,  Wife  to  Jupiter. 

Hercules,  Son  to  Jupiter,  a  Theban  Hero. 

Megara,   Wife  to  Hercules. 

Lycus,   a  Theban  Usurper. 

Amphitryon,  Reputed  Father  to  Hercules. 

Theseus,  Companion  to  Hercules. 

Chorus  of  Thebans. 


SCENE  IN  THEBES. 

ACT    FIRST. 

SCENE  FIRST. 
Juno. 

I,  an  abandoned  sister  of  the  Thunderer,  (this  name  alone  is 
left  me  now,)  have  left  Jove,  always  alienated  from  me,  and  the 
temples  of  the  sky,  and  driven  from  heaven,  have  given  up  my 
place  to  mistresses.  I  must  propitiate  the  earth,  for  mistresses 
hold  heaven.  Here,  from  a  lofty  station  in  the  northern  sky,  the 
Bear,  a  lustrous  constellation,  guides  the  Grecian  fleets  ;  and 
here,  where,  as  the  spring  advances,  day  is  lengthened,  Taurus 
shines,  who  bore  Europa  through  the  Tyrian  waves;  and  here,  the 
wandering  Pleiades  look  with  foreboding  aspect  on  the  ships  and 
sea  ;  and  here  Orion  with  his  threatening  club  affrights  the  gods  : 
here  Perseus  has  his  stars  :  here  the  twin  sons  of  Tyndarus,  a  bril- 
liant constellation,  shine,  and  those,  for  whose  delivery  the  float- 
ing island  rested.  Nor  are  Semele  and  Bacchus  all,  who  have 
been  numbered  with  the  gods  :  that  no  spot  may  be  free  from 
shame,  the  heavens  bear  the  Crown  of  Ariadne.  But  I  am  com- 
plaining of  too  old  affronts.      How  often  has  that  hateful  land  of 


Thebes  alone,  profuse  of  shameless  women,  borne  :ny  husband 
6ons  !  Alcmene  is  allowed  to  go  aloft  and  hold  my  place,  my 
victor  ;  and  her  son  too,  for  whose  birth  the  world  gave  up  a  day, 
and  Phoebus,  ordered  to  retain  his  brightness  sunk  beneath  the 
Ocean,  late  illumed  the  Eastern  sea,  Alcides,  has  a  promised  seat 
in  heaven.  My  wrath  shall  not  thus  die  away  :  my  raging  soul 
shall  cherish  lasting  hatred,  and  my  cruel  grief  shall  rupture  peace 
and  wage  eternal  war.  What  war?  Whatever  mouster  hateful 
Earth  has  fathered,  Hercules  hasconqucred;  and  whatever  frightful, 
dreadful,  loathesome,  fierce  and  savage  thing  the  sea  or  air  affords, 
has  been  subdued  and  tamed  ;  and  yet  he  lives  and  strengthens  by 
his  evils,  and  enjoys  my  rage  :  he  makes  my  very  hate  his  praise  : 
by  my  too  harsh  commands  I  have  made  known  his  father  :  I  have 
been  the  cause  of  his  renown  :  his  valor  unsubdued  is  worshipped 
where  the  sun  brings  back  the  morning,  and  where  he  renews  the 
evening,  and  where  Ethiopia's  coasts  are  scorched  by  his  near 
torch  :  through  all  the  world  he  is  declared  a  god.  Already 
monsters  fail  me  ;  and  it  is  less  difficult  for  Hercules  (o  execute  my 
orders,  than  for  me  to  find  commands.  He  gladly  undertakes  what- 
ever I  impose  on  him.  What  harsh  commands  of  Eurystheus  can 
harm  the  eager  youth  ?  He  even  bears  for  weapons  what  he  once 
has  feared  and  overcome  :  he  comes  armed  with  the  Lion  and  the 
Hydra.  Earth  is  too  contracted  for  him  :  he  has  even  burst  the 
gates  of  hell,  and  bears  his  booty  from  its  conquered  king  up  to 
the  world.  That  it  has  been  returned  is  not  enough  :  the 
eompact  of  the  shades  has  perished.  I  myself  have  seen  him  scat- 
tering the  gloom  of  the  infernal  deep,  and  hurling  to  his  father 
plunder  from  his  vanquished  brother  god.  Why  did  he  not  drag 
out  the  king  himself,  of  equal  power  with  Jove,  subdued  and 
bound  with  chains,  and  seizing  captured  Erebus  unbar  the  Styx  ? 
An  exit  for  the  shades  has  been  laid  open  from  the  deepest  cavern, 
and  the  secrets  of  dread  Death  arc  brought  to  light.  And  now, 
the  prison  of  the  shades  unbarred,  he  fiercely  triumphs  over 
me,  and  with  a  haughty  hand  he  drags  the  dismal  dog  through 
Grecian  cities.  I  have  seen  the  clay  retire,  and  the  sun  shake  with 
fear  at  sight  of  Cerberus  :  a  trembling  has  comeovermc,  and  look- 
ing on  the  conquered  monster's  triple  necks,  I  scarce  have  dared  im- 
pose my  orders.  But  I  make  too  light  complaints  ;  for  heaven 
■ias  cause  to  fear,  that  he,  who  has  subdued  the  lower  world,  will 
also  gel  possession  of  the  upper.     He  will  not  ascend  to  heaven. 


5 


like  Bacchus,  in  a  quiet  way,  but  he  will  strew  his  path  with  ruin 
and  will  wish  to   rule  an  empty  world.     He   boasts  of  his  tried 
strength  ;  and  by  supporting  heaven  he  has  learned  his  power  to 
wage  successful  war  against  it  ;  he  has  placed  his  head  beneath 
its  pillars,  and  the   weight  of  the    enormous  mass   bent  not  his 
shoulders  :    heaven's   center   rested    on    the    neck  of  Hercules. 
He   bore   the   burden,    which    the  stars,    and     heaven,    and    I 
heaped  on  him,  unsubdued.     He   seeks   a   way   to  heaven.     Go, 
Revenge,  go,  thwart  his    monstrous  plots  1     Rush  upon    him  ! 
Tear    him  in    pieces   with    thy   hands  1     [To    herself.']       Why 
vent    such    hate  ?      Let    wild    beasts   go,  and   let   Eurystheus, 
wearied  with  commanding,   rest.     Release  the  Titans,  daring  to 
oppose  the   power   of  Jove.     Open  the  cave  of  the  Sicilian  peak 
and  let  the  Doric  island,  quaking  with   the   outstretched  giant, 
loose  the  neck  of  the  terrific  monster,  bound  beneath  it.     Let  the 
lofty  Moon  bring  forth  new  beasts.     But  he  has  conquered  these. 
Seekest  Alcides'  equal  ?    There  is  none  besides  himself.    Let  him 
now  fight  against  himself.     Let  Furies,  summoned  from  the  low- 
est depths  of  Tartarus,  attend  him  :  let  their  blazing  locks  strew 
fire  upon  him  :  let  their  savage  hands    inflict  the  snaky  blows. 
[  To  Hercules.]     Now  go,  thou  boaster  :  seek  the  temples  of  the 
sky  !     Despise  the  things  of  earth  !  Dost  thou  believe,  0   Inso- 
lence, that  thou  hast  even  now  escaped  the  Styx  and  the  abode  of 
Death  ?    I'll  here  show  the  infernals  to  thee.     I'll  call  up  the 
goddess   Discord,   hid   in    darkness   dense  beyond   the    place  of 
exile  of  the  wicked  shades,  whom  a  huge   cavern  in  the  mountain 
opposite  protects.     I'll  bring  her  forth,  and  what  remains  behind 
I'll  bring  from  Pluto's  lowest  realm.     Let  hateful  Crime  come  up, 
and  fierce  Impiety  licking  his  blood,  and  Madness,  and  wild  Phren- 
zy,  always  armed  against  himself.     This,  this   accomplice    shall 
my  vengeance  use.     Begin,  ye  slaves  of  Pluto  !    Rouse,  and  shake 
the  burning  pine,  aud  let  Megaera  lead  the  troop  equipped  with 
frightful  scorpions,  and  with  cruel   hand  snatch  from  the  blazing 
pile  the  wasted  beam  !  Do  it  !  Have  vengeance  for  the  profanation 
of  the  Styx  !     Let  fiercer  fires  than  rage  in  ^Etna's  caverns  burn 
his  soul  !     That  Hercules  delirious  may  be  driven  on  with  frantic 
violence,  I  first  must  rave.     Juno,  why  dost  thou  not  now  rave  ? 
O  look  on  me,  ye  Fates,  on  me  first  maddened!  Tell  me  if  I  am  con- 
triving plots  unworthy  of  his  father's  wife  !    Now  let  my  hate  be 
•hanged  to  rage  !  Let  him  returning  see  his  children  safe,  I  pray, 


and  may  he  come  with  lusty  arm  !  I've  found  a  day,  in  which  the 
hated  strength  of  Hercules  shall  be  my  pleasure  :  let  him  be  his 
own,  as  he  has  been  my  victor:  let  him  long  to  die,  though  just 
returned  from  the  infernal  pit  !  Here  let  it  profit  me  that  he  is 
son  of  Jove  !  I'll  stand  near  by,  and  that  his  arrows  go  from  an 
unerring  string  I'll  stay  his  hand.  I'll  guide  the  darts  of  raging 
Hercules,  and  now  at  last  I'll  favor  him  in  battle.  When  the 
deed  is  done,  his  father  may  admit  those  hands  to  heaven.  Now 
the  contest  shall  begin  :  the  day  dawns,  and  the  bright  sun  rises 
in  the  saffron  East,   [licit.] 


SCENE    SECOND- 
chorus. 

Now,  only  here  and  there,  the  stars  shine  dimly  in  the  western 
sky.   Night,  driven  back  by  the  returning  Day,  withdraws  her  ro- 
ving fires.     Lucifer  chases  off  the  twinkling  host :  the  seven-star- 
red Arcadian  Bear,  a  lofty  constellation  in  the  northern  heavens, 
greets  the  morning  with  the  Wain  reversed.   Already  Titan,  borne 
aloft  by  his  celestial  steeds,  looks  down  on  (Eta's  bights  ;  and  now 
the  thickets,  famed  by  the  Cadmean  Bacchants,  sparkle,  sprinkled 
with  the  light ;  and  Phoebus'  sister  vanishes  but  to  return  again. 
Hard  toil  begins  and  wakes  the  cares  of  men,  and  opes  their  homes. 
The  herdsmen  graze  their  flocks,  turned  out  upon  the  pasture  white 
with  the  cold  frost.     The   hornless   calf  sports  freely  in  the  open 
meadow,  and  his  dam   replenishes  her  just  drained  teats.    The 
wanton  kid  strolls  on  the  tender  grass  capriciously.     The  nightin- 
gale sits  warbling  on  the  topmost  branch,  and  joys,  surrounded  by 
her  chirping  young,  to  spread  her  plumage  to  the  rising  sun  ;  and 
the  surrounding  birdlings  greet  the  day  with  their  united  voices. 
The  precarious  sailor  spreads  the  sails  before  the  winds,  which  fill 
the  dangling  folds  :  the  angler,  sitting  on  a  beetling  rock,  prepares 
his  tempting  hook,  or  leaning  forward  eyes  his  prey  with  his  right 
hand  pulled  down  :  he  feels  the  jerking  fish  upon  the  line.     Such 
is  the  peaceful  life  of  those,  who  live  in  calm  retirement,  and  enjoy 
a  home  contented  with  its  little  portion  and  a  prospect  of  subsis- 
tence from  their  fields.     But   anxious   cares  and  trembling  fears 


roam  through  the  city  in  an  endless  throng.  One,  sleepless,  watches 
at  the  haughty  gates  and  portals  inaccessible  of  royal  palaces. 
Another  heaps  up  treasure,  gazing  on  his  wealth  with  infinite  de- 
light, and  yet  is  poor  among  his  hoarded  gold  :  the  favor  of  the 
people  takes  another  by  surprise,  and  the  rude  populace,  inconstant 
as  the  wave,  raise  him  inflated  as  with  empty  air  :  another  meanly 
bargains  for  the  noisy  Forum's  brawls,  and  lets  his  angry  threats 
for  hire.  But  few  know  calm  repose,  who,  mindful  of  the  swift- 
winged  years,  enjoy  returnless  scenes.  Be  joyful  while  the 
Fates  permit  :  life  hastens  in  its  rapid  course,  and  with  the 
flying  day," the  rapid  year  revolves.  The  stubborn  Sisters  do  their 
work,  and  roll  not  back  their  threads.  The  family  of  man 
are  borne  to  meet  the  unrelenting  Fates,  uncertain  of  their 
destiny  ;  and  of  our  own  accord  we  seek  the  Stygian  waves.  With 
too  brave  soul,  0  Hercules,  thou  dost  make  haste  to  see  the  joy- 
less world.  The  Fates  exact  their  strict  demands  :  if  they  com- 
mand to  go,  no  one  has  power  to  stay,  nor  can  a  man  put  off  the 
day  decreed.  The  urn  receives  the  summoned  nations.  Let_r_e^ 
nown  bear  one  through  every  land,  and  bubbling  fame  resound 
his  praise  in  every  city,  and  exalt  him  to  the  starry  skies  :  another 
go  aloft  in  his  triumphal  chariot :  let  my  own  land  conceal  me  in 
a  safe  and  secret  home.  Hoary  old  age  creeps  on  the  slothful  ; 
and  the  safe  but  meager  fortune  of  a  little  house  awaits  them  in  a 
humble  place  :  aspiring  valor  falls  from  lofty  hights.  But  Megara 
approaches,  sad,  and  with  dishevelled  hair,  attended  by  a  few  com- 
panions, and  the  sire  of  Hercules  walks  slow  with  age.     [Exeuni.}. 




ACT    SECOND. 

SCENE  FIRST. 

Megara,  Amphitryon. 
Meg. — 0  thou  great  ruler  of  Olympus,  judge  of  heaven,  now' 
at  length  grant  respite  from  his  grievous  troubles,  and  an  end  to 
slaughter  !  No  day  ever  shone  upon  me  but  beset  with  care  : 
the  end  of  one  calamity  is  the  beginning  of  the  next :  another  ene- 
my's forthwith  prepared  for  his  return  :  before  he  reaches  his  re- 
joicing home,  he  goes  commanded  to  another  war.    Nor  is  there 


8 

\nv  other  time  for  rest  allowed,  than  while  he  is  receiving  his  com- 
mands. Juno  has  chased  him  from  his  very  birth  :  was  even  in- 
fancy exempt  ?  He  conquered  monsters  ere  he  knew  their  names  : 
the  crested  snakes  approached  him  with  their  double  mouths,  the 
infant  crept  to  meet  them  :  looking  on  the  serpents'  fiery  eyes 
with  calm  and  placid  countenance,  endured  their  pressing  coils 
with  careless  air,  and  crushing  with  his  tender  hand  their  swelling 
throats,  he  practiced  for  the  Hydra.  The  swift  Hind  of  Mamalus, 
with  golden  horns,  was  overtaken  in  the  chase.  jNeniea's  greatest 
dread,  the  Lion,  groaned  beneath  the  stifling  grasp  of  Hercules. 
Why  need  I  cite  the  filthy  stables  of  the  herd  of  Diomedes,  and 
the  king  he  gave  the  royal  steeds  for  feed  ;  and  why  the  bristly 
Boar  of  Mamalus,  in  the  dense  woods  of  Erymanthus,  wont  to 
shake  Arcadia's  groves ;  and  why  the  Bull,  the  terror  of  a  hundred 
tribes  ?  Among  the  distant  flocks  of  the  Hesperian  nation,  Ger- 
yon,  the  triple-bodied  herdsman  of  the  Spanish  shore,  was  slain  : 
his  herd,  as  booty,  driven  from  the  farthest  West.  Cithseron  fed 
the  herd,  he  grazed  upon  the  Ocean's  shore.  When  bade  to  pen- 
etrate the  regions  of  the  torrid  sun.  and  those  parched  realms, 
which  noon-day  burns,  he  thrust  to  either  side  the  mountains,  tore 
away  the  barrier,  and  made  a  passage  for  the  rushing  ocean. 
Afterward  he  made  a  sally  on  the  Gardens  of  the  fruitful  grove, 
and  bore  away  the  booty  from  the  serpent  guardian.  Aye,  and 
did  he  not  at  last  by  fire  defeat  the  fierce  Lernean  beast  of  many 
heads,  and  teach  him  how  to  die  ?  Did  he  not  drag  the  dire 
Stymphalian  birds,  which  often  shut  the  light  of  day  out  with  their 
spreading  wings,  down  from  the  very  clouds  ?  The  maiden  queen, 
who  rules  the  Thermodoutian  race,  subdued  him  not,  who  never 
stained  his  virtuous  bed  ;  nor  did  the  labor  of  the  famed  Augean 
stables  shun  his  hands  prepared  for  every  bold  attempt.  Of  what 
avail  have  these  things  been  ?  He's  gone  from  the  defended  world. 
Earth  feels  the  absence  of  the  author  of  her  peace.  Successful 
crime  is  deemed  but  righteousness  :  the  good  are  subject  to  the 
wicked  :  justice  yields  to  force,  and  fear  suppresses  law.  I  have 
seen  sons,  the  rightful  claimants  of  a  father's  throne,  struck  down 
with  murderous  hand  before  my  eyes,  and  noble  Cadmus'  very  last 
descendant  slain.  I've  seen  the  head  and  kingly  crown  togeth- 
er crushed.  O,  who  has  tears  enough  for  Thebes  ?  0  Thebes, 
birth-place  of  many  gods,  what  tyrant  dost  thou  fear  ?  The  land 
from  whose  rich  glebe  and  fruitful  bosom  sprang  a  band  of  youth, 


with  sword  up-drawn,  whose  walls  Amphion,  Jove-begotten  built, 
of  rocks  led   thither  by  melodious    music  :    to   whose   city  Jove 
has  come  from  heaven,  which  has  entertained  the  gods  and  borne 
them  sons,  and  (may  the   thought  b?  right,)  perchance  will  bear 
them  more,  is  held  in  slavish  bonds.  0  race  of  Cadmus,  0  Amphi- 
on's  state  how  hast  thou  fallen  !  Dost  thou  crouch  before  a  coward 
exile,  who  escaping  from  his  banishment  afflicts  thee  with  his  pre- 
sence ?     He,  who  chases  monsters   over  land  and  sea,  and  breaks 
in  pieces  cruel  sceptres  with  a  righteous   hand,  now  absent  is  a 
slave  and  he  himself  endures   what  he  has  rescued  others  from; 
and  banished  Lycus   holds  the  sway  of  Thebes,  the  land  of  Her- 
cules.    He  shall  not  hold  it  long  :  he'll  rise  and  seek  revenge,  and 
quick  will  make  his  borne   among  the  stars  :  he'll  find,  or  make  a 
way.     Come  safely,  and  return,  I  pray,   and  come  at  length,  a 
victor,  to  thy  conquered  home.     Come  forth,  my  husband,  and 
break  through   the  darkness  scattered  by  thy  hand  1     If  there 
is  no  returning  passage,    and  the    way  is  shut,  now  rend  the 
earth,  and  come,  and  bring  with  thee  whatever  lies  enshrouded  in 
the  gloom  of  night.     As  once  between  the  sundered  mountains 
thou  didst  make  a  headlong  passage  for  the  rapid  stream,  when 
Tempe  cleft  by  the  strong  blow  lay  open  :  smitten  by  thy  might  the 
mountains  here  and  there  fell  down,   and  the  opposing  piles  were 
thrust  aside,  Peneus  ran  in  an  unwonted  course  ;  so  now  burst 
forth  and  seek  thy  parents  and  thy  children  and  thy  native  land, 
and  bring  the  guard  of  the  infernal  gate  with  thee  ;  and  bring  to 
light  what  greedy  time  has  hid  so  long  from  view  ;  and  drive  the 
nations  long  forgetful  of  themselves  and  unaccustomed  to  the  light 
of  day  before  thee.     If  thou  bringest  only  what  has  been  command- 
ed thee,  the  booty  is  unworthy  thee.     But  I,  uncertain  of  my  fate, 
demand  too  great  exploits,     When  shall  I  see  that  day,  in  which 
I  shall  embrace  thee,  and  when  shall  I  clasp  thy  hand  ?  when  will 
my  long  complaints  persuade  thy  slow  return  unmindful  of  me?  Ru- 
ler of  the  gods,  to  thee  a  hundred  bulls  shall  bring  their  unyoked 
necks  :  to  thee  I  will  perform  the  secrets  rites,  0  goddess  of  the 
harvest  ;  and  to  thee  with  silent  faith  mysterious  Eleusin  shall 
send  up  high-reaching  flames.     Then  I'll  believe  my  brothers'  life 
is  given  back,  and  that  my  father  lives  again  and  rules  his  former 
realm.    If  any  greater  power  than  thine  retains  thee  bound  below, 
we  follow.  Either  do  thou  safely  save  us  all  by  thy  return,  or  take 
us  all  to  thee  !  Thou  shalt  receive  us,  and  no  other  god  shall  lift 
again  the  broken  down.  2 


10 

Amph. — My  daughter,  who  dost  keep  with  chaste  fidelity  the 
bed  and  sons  of  the  great-minded  Hercules,  turn  now  thy  mind  to 
better  thoughts,  aud  rouse  thy  courage.  He  will  soon  be  present 
nobler,  as  he  always  is  from  his  exploits. 

Meg. — What  mortals  too  unhappy  wish,  they  readily  believe 
will  come  to  pass. 

Amph. — True,  what  they  fear  too  greatly,  they  believe  can  never 
be  averted  nor  endured.    An  expectation  of  misfortune  always 
leads  to  fear. 
Meg. — Submerged  and  buried  and  weighed  down  by  all  the  earth 
upon  him,  how  can  he  ascend  to  us  ? 

Amph. — As  well  as  then,  when  through  the  burning  regions, 
and  the  desert  sands,  which  billow  like  the  rolling  sea,  he  crossed 
the  twice  receding  and  returning  flood  ;  and  when  from  his  aban- 
doned ship,  stuck  fast  with  grounded  keel  upon  the  shoals  of  Syr- 
tis,  made  his  way  on  fe  ot  across  the  sea. 

Meg. — A  hostile  Fate  spares  not  the  greatest  virtue.  No  one 
safely  can  expose  himself  to  dangers  so  incessant  long.  Misfortune 
will  at  some  time  find  the  victim,  which  she  often  has  passed  by. 
But  see  !  that  savage  Lycus  comes  with  threats  upon  his  coun- 
tenance, and  waving  in  his  hand  another's  sceptre,  walks  with  such 
a  gait  as  best  befits  his  guilty  soul,  [Exuent.'j 


SCENE    SECOND. 

Lycus,    Megara,  Amphitryon. 

Lyc. — [alone.]  I  am  king  of  the  opulent  land  of  Thebes  and  all, 
that  the  winding  boundary  of  Phocis  surrounds  with  luxuriant  soil, 
and  Ismenus  laves,  and  Cithaeron  can  see  from  his  loftiest  peak, 
and  the  narrow  Isthmus  dividing  the  seas  overlooks:  not  a  lazy  heir, 
do  I  hold  the  old  titles,  a  father  has  left  me  :  I  have  not  my  birth 
from  a  royal  line,  nor  a  family  known  by  a  name  of  renown,  but  il- 
lustrious valor  is  mine.  He,  who  boasts  his  descent,  gives  another 
the  praise.  But  a  sceptre  usurped  is  retained  with  a  tremulous 
hand  :  every  hope  of  prosperity  lies  in  the  sword  :  what  thou  know- 
est  thou  holdest  against  the  popular  will,  the  fear  of  thy  sword 
maintains.     A  seat  on  another's  throne  is  insecure  ;  bat  Megara, 


11 

joined  in  royal  marriage  with  me,  alone  can  establish  my  power. 
My  humble  rank  shall  derive  support  from  her  illustrious  line.  In 
truth,  I  do  not  think  she  will  reject  and^spurn  my  bed  ;  but,  if  she 
should  with  headstrong  will  refuse,  I  am  resolved  to  wholly  crush 
the~h~6us?7)f  Hercules.  Will  hatred  and  my  subjects  tongues  re- 
pay the  deed  ?  Power  to  withstand  such  hatred  is  the  ruler's  high- 
est art.  I  then  will  try  :  chance  gives  me  opportunity  ;  for  now 
she  stands  before  the  shrine  of  the  protecting  gods,  her  head  in- 
vested with  mourning  veil,  and  Hercules'  true  father  clinging  at 
her  side.  [Advances  towards  them.] 

Meg. — What  new  device  does  he,  the  pest  and  bane  of  Thebes, 
prepare  ?  What  does  he  plot  ? 

Lyc. — [Approaching:  to  Megara.]  C  thou,  who  drawest  an  il- 
lustrious name  from  royal  line,  receive  my  words  awhile  with  pa- 
tient ear.  If  hate  unending  always  harass  us,  and  if  hostility  begun 
will  never  cease,  but  conquerors  retain  their  arms,  the  conquered 
still  revolt,  then  nothing  will  survive  the  feud  :  the  earth  will  lie 
in  wasted  fields  :  the  ashes  of  our  burning  homes  will  cover  deep 
the  buried  nations.  It  is  for  the  victor's  interest  to  seek  return  of 
peace  :  the  vanquished  must.  Come,  share  my  throne  :  be  thou 
my  queen  :  receive  this  pledge  of  faith  :  accept  my  hand.  Why 
art  thou  silent  with  that  sullen  look  ? 

Meg. — I  touch  the  hand  polluted  by  my  father's  slaughter  and 
the  blood  of  brothers  ?  Sooner  shall  the  East  withdraw  the  day, 
the  West  proclaim  the  morning  :  sooner  shall  there  be  a  'Arm  al- 
liance of  the  snows  and  flames,  and  Scylla  join  the  shore  of  Sicily 
to  the  Italian  coast  ;  and  sooner  shall  the  swift  Euripus,  with  its 
heavy  sweeping  tide,  stand  still  in  the  Eubceaa  ^gulf.  Thou  hast 
bereaved  me  of  my  father,  kingdom,  brothers,  home,  and  native 
land:  what  more  have  I?  One  thing  I  have,  more  dear  than  father, 
brother,  realm  and  home,  the  hate  of  thee,  which  I  am  grieved 
to  share  with  all  our  state.  How  small  a  part  of  it  is  mine  !  Rule 
now,  thou  boaster  !  Bear  a  haughty  spirit !  The  avenging  god- 
dess fast  pursues  the  proud.  I  know  the  spirit  of  the  Theban 
realm.  Why  need  I  name  those  mothers,  what  they  suffered,  or 
what  crimes  they  dared  commit  I  Why  tell  the  two-fold  tragedy, 
the  mingled  name  of  husband,  father,  son  ;  or  why  recall  the  two 
opposing  armies  of  the  rival  brothers,  and  the  pyres  of  equal  num- 
ber ?  Niobe,  the  boasting  mother,  stiffened  in  her  anguish  weeps,  a 
mournful  rock  in  Phrygian  Sipylus.     And  Cadmus  too  himself, 


12 

with  horrid  crest  upon  his  head,  passed  throngh  Illyria  in  fight  and 
left  behind  long  traces  of  his  trailing  body.  These  examples  are  be- 
fore thee.  Rule,  thou  tyant,  as  thou  wilt,  until  the  wonted  for- 
tunes of  our  state  shall  call  thee  to  account. 

Lyc. — Come,  madcap,  lay  aside  those  angry  words,  and  learn 
from  Hercules  to  hear  what  kings  command.  Although  I  wield 
a  stolen  sceptre  with  victorious  hand,  and  rule  the  state  without 
restraint  of  law,  which  arms  supplant,  I'll  speak  a  word  in  my  de- 
fense. Thy  father  fell  in  bloody  war  ?  And  are  thy  brothers  slain? 
Remember,  arms  do  not  preserve  their  moderation  ;  and  the  ven- 
geance of  the  once  drawn  sword  can  not  be  easily  restrained  ;  and 
war  delights  in  blood.  It's  true  he  fought  to  shield  his  kingdom,  I 
impelled  by  wicked  envy  ;  but  we  seek  the  issue,  not  the  cause  of 
war  :  let  all  remembrance  of  it  perish.  When  the  victor  lays  his 
arms  aside,  the  conqucrer  ought  to  banish  animosity.  I  do  not 
ask  that  thou,  with  bended  knee,  shouldst  worship  me,  thy  king  -r 
but  this  I  ask,  that  thou  endure  thy  fall  with  noble  spirit.  Thou 
art  worthy  of  a  royal  husband  :   be  my  queen. 

Meg. — A  thrill  runs  through  my  bloodless  limbs.  What  deed 
has  fallen  on  my  car  ?  When  peace  was  ruptured,  and  the  din  of 
war  resounded  round  the  walls,  I  did  not  fear  :  I  bore  it  all  with- 
out alarm:  the  thought  of  marriage  makes  me  quake.  I  seem  a 
slave.  Let  chains  weigh  down  my  body,  and  let  craving  hunger 
lengthen  out  my  weary  life  :  no  power  shall  subdue  my  faithful- 
ness to  thee  :  I  die,  but  thine,  0  Hercules. 

Lyc. — And  does  thy  husband,  buried  in  the  depths  of  the  in- 
fernal regions,  make  thee  brave  ? 

Meg — He  touched  infernal  depths  that  he  might  reach  supernal 
hights 

Lyc. — The  weight  of  all  the  giant  earth  subdues  his  strength. 

Meg. — No  burden  can  subdue  that  power,  which  has  upborne 
the  sky. 

Lyc. — Thou  wilt  be  forced. 

Meg. — He  knows  not  how  to  die,  who  yields  to  force. 

Lyc. — But  speak,  what  better  royal  gift  than  marriage  can  I 
offer  thee  ? 

Meg. — Thy  death  or  mine. 

Lyc — In  haste  to  die,  thou  silly  thing  ? 

Meg. — I'll  go  to  meet  my  husband. 

Lyc. — Is  that  slave  of  thine  a  better  portion  than  my  throne  ? 


13 

Meg. — How  many  tyrants  hits  "that  slave"  consigned  to  death  ? 

Ltc. — Why  then  does  he  obey  a  tyrant,  and  endure  a  yoke? 

Meg — Take  harsh  commands,  away,  and  what  will  valor  be  ? 

Lyc. — Dost  thou  suppose  it  valor  to  withstand  wild  beasts  and 
monsters  ? 
~~Meg.— It's  the  part  of  vdor  to  subdue  what  all  men  fear. 

Ltc. — The  night  of  Tartarus  immures  him  boasting  of  his  great 
exploits. 

Meg. — From  earth  there  is  no  easy  passage  to  the  stars. 

Lyc. — Begotten  by  what  father,  does  he  hope  to  reach  the  pala- 
ces of  heaven  ? 

Amph. — Unhappy  wife  of  noble  Hercules,  say  not :  to  me  be- 
longs the  task  to  show  bis  parentage  and  true  descent.  [  To  Lycus] 
When  he  has  done  so  many  deeds  of  never-dying  fame,  and  all,  the 
rising  and  the  setting  sun  surveys,  has  been  reduced  to  peace  by 
his  right  hand,  so  many  monsters  vanquished,  Phlegra  drenched 
with  impious  blood,  and  gods  defended  from  their  foes,  is  not  his 
father  proved  ?     Do  we  feign  Jove  ?  Trust  Juno's  hate. 

Lyc. — Why  wrong  the  king  of  heaven  ?  The  mortal  race  cannot 
be  linked  with  Jove. 

Amph. — But  this  has  been  the  common  origin  of  many  other  gods. 

Lyc. — Had  they  been  slaves,  and  after,  gods  ? 

Amph. — The  Delian  shepherd  grazed  the  flocks  of  Pheras. 

Lyc. — But  he  did  not  wander  over  all  the  earth  in  banishment. 

Amph. — His  fleeing  mother  gave  him  birth  upon  a  floating  is- 
land. 

Lyc. — But  Apollo  feared  not  monsters,  neither  savage  beasts. 

Amph. — The  serpent  Python  was  the  first,  to  stain  Apollo's  darts. 

Lyc. — Dost  thou  not  know  how  grievous  ills  befell  the  infant 
Hercules  ? 

Amph — A  thunderbolt  hurled  Bacchus  from  his  mother's  womb, 
and  soon  he  stood  inferior  only  to  his  thundering  father.  What  ? 
And  did  not  he,  who  guides  the  stars,  and  puts  the  clouds  to  flight, 
lie  hid,  an  infant,  in  the  cave  on  Ida's  steeps?  The  benefit  of  so  il- 
lustrious descent  is  thick  beset  with  anxious  cares,  but  it  is  always 
thonght  to  be  of  greatest  worth,  to  be  by  birth  a  god. 

Lyc — Thou  knowest  him  a  man,  whom  thou  hast  seen  unfortu- 
nate. 

Amph — Thou  knowest  he  is  not  unfortunate,  whom  thou  hast 
seen  courageous 


14 


Ltc— Can  we  call  that  man  courageous,  from  whose  shoulders 
lion-skin  and  club  have  fallen,  and  been  made  a  present  to  his  mis- 
tress, and  whose  body  glitters  with  Sidonian  robes  ?  Is  that  mau 
brave,  whose  shaggy  hair  is  soft  with  nard,  and  who  has  moved 
his  hands,  so  often  praised,  to  the  unmanly  music  of  the  timbrel,  and 
adorned  his  fearless  brow  with  the  barbarian  turban  ? 

Amph. — Youthful  Bacchus  doss  not  blush  to  loose  his  flowing 
hair  and  wave  the  slender  Thyrsus,  when  with  giddy  step  he  trails 
his  robe  adorned  with  foreign  gold.  And  after  many  weary  labors 
valor  is  accustomed  to  relax. 

Ltc. — The  desolated  house  of  Teuthras  and  the  band  of  virgins, 
driven  like  a  herd,  confess  thy  truthfulness.  No  Juno,  nor  Eurys- 
theus  ordered  this  ;  but  this  he  did  alone. 

Amph  — Thou  dost  not  know  of  all  his  deeds.  3y  his  own  weap- 
ons Eryx  was  defeated  :  next  to  him  Antaeus  fell,  the  Libyan 
giant,  and  the  hearths,  which  clotted  with  the  gore  of  strangers, 
justly  drank  Busiris'  blood.  And  Cygnus  met  his  sword  and, 
though  of  vigorous  strength,  succumbed  to  death,  and  triple  Ger- 
yon  was  conquered  by  his  single  hand  ;  and  thou  wilt  be  among 
the  number,  but  thou'lt  be  of  those,  whose  beds  defilement  hath 
not  stained. 

Lyc. — That  is  allowed  a  king,  which  Jove  may  have  :  thou 
gavest  him  a  wife  :  thou  wilt  allow  a  king  the  same.  And  let  thy 
daughter  learn  this  well-established  truth  of  thee,  and  from  her 
husband,  who  has  proved  it  so,  that  it  is  better  to  obey  a  king. 
But,  if  she  still  with  headstrong  pertinacity  refuse,  I'll  force  her, 
and  beget  a  noble  heir. 

Meg. — 0  shade  of  Creon,  O  ye  gods  of  Labdacus,  and  nuptial  tor 
che  sof  the  impious  (Edipus,  0  grant  to  me  your  wonted  fates!  Now, 
now,  ye  fiendish  daughters  of  Egyptian  Danaus,  come  hither  with 
your  blood-stained  hands  1  One  daughter'!  wanting  to  the  num- 
ber :   I'll  complete  the  tragedy. 

Lyc. — Since  thou  so  wilfully  dost  scorn  my  bed,  and  threat  thy 
king,  thou  soon  shalt  know  what  sceptres  can  perform.  Em- 
brace the  altars  :  now  no  god  shall  snatch  thee  from  me  :  not  if 
Hercules  could  be  uplifted  from  the  ruptured  earth  among  the  gods 
above.  [  To  slaves.]  Heap  up  the  forests,  let  the  temples  burn,  and 
fall  upon  their  suppliants,  and  let  one  blazing  pile  consume  that 
wife  and  all  her  train. 

Amph. — I  ask  this  boon  of  thee,  which  it  is  fitting  that  the  sire 
of  Hercules  should  ask,  let  me  be  first  to  die. 


15 

Lyc. — Who  orders  all  the  expiate  their  crimes  by  death,  known 
not  the  tyrant's  art.  Make  different  requests :  bid  the  unhappy 
live,  command  the  fortunate  to  death.  But  while  the  pile  is  swel- 
ling with  the  trees,  which  wait  the  flai  aes,  I  will  propitiate  the  sea- 
god  with  the  promised  offering. 
Asiph. — 0  highest  power  of  heaven,  l'uler  and  progenitcr  of  gods, 
whose  weapons  shake  the  earth,  restrain  this  savage  king's  nefa- 
rious hand  I  0  why  do  I  entreat  the  gods  in  vain  ?  Wherever,  O 
my  son,  thou  art,  0  hear  !  Why  do  the  temples  totter,  heaving 
with  a  sudden  violence  ?  Why  groans  the  earth  ?  A  heavy 
crash  resounds  from  out  the  lowest  depths.  We're  heard  :  it  is, 
it  is  the  thundering  tread  of  Hercules.    [Exeunt.] 


SCENE   II!  I  CD. 


CHORUS. 


0  Fortune  unpropitious  to  the  brave,  how  mean  rewards  thou 
dost  bestow  upon  the  good  1  Eurystheus  is  allowed  to  reign  in 
easy  luxury  :  Alcmene's  son  must  raise  his  heaven-supporting 
hand  in  constant  war  with  savage  beasts,  and  cut  the  serpent's 
fertile  necks,  and  bear  away  the  Apples  from  the  cheated  Sisters, 
while  the  dragon,  guardian  of  the  golden  fruit,  has  given  his  ever- 
watchful  eyelids  sleep.  He  has  explored  the  roving  homes  of 
Scythia,  and  visited  the  nations,  strangers  in  their  own  ancestral 
Beats  ;  and  he  has  trod  the  stiffened  surface  of  the  deep,  and  walk- 
ed the  noisleess  sea  with  silent  shore.  There  the  cold  waters  are 
devoid  of  waves  ;  and  where  before  the  ships  unfurled  their  swel- 
ling sails,  unshorn  Sarmatians  tread.  The  yearly  alternations 
fit  the  sea  to  float  the  ship  and  bear  the  horseman's  weight. 
There  she,  who,  binding  round  her  loins  the  golden  girdle,  rules 
the  maiden  nation,  from  her  body  stripped  the  royal  spoil,  and 
shield,  and  bands  from  off  her  snowy  breast,  with  bended  knee 
submitting  to  her  conqueror.  By  what  hope  urged  adown  the 
steeps  of  the  infernal  regions,  durst  thou  venture  on  the  road, 
which  offers  no  return,  and  haste  to  see  the  realms  of  Sicily's 
Proserpine  ?  No  South  or  West  win  d  there  lifts  up  the  seas  in 
swelling  waves :  the  twin  Tyndaridae  not  there  assist  the  timid 
6hips  :  the  sluggish  waters  stand  in  gloomy  caves  ;  and  when  pale 


16 

Death  with  greedy  jaws  be?frs  on  the  countless  nations  to  the 
shades,  one  oarsman  ferries  them  across.  Would  that  thou  mightst 
resist  the  laws  of  the  relentless  Stvn,  and  break  the  sure  decrees 
of  Fate.  The  king,  who  rules  so  many  nations,  when  thou  didst 
attack  old  Nestor's  realm,  qpposed  his  baneful  hands  to  thee  with 
triple-pointed  spear,  but  wounded  fled,  and  he,  the  god  of  death, 
was  sore  afraid  to  die.  By  thy  right  hand  break  down  the  bars 
of  Fate,  and  let  the  light  of  day  shine  through  upon  the  gloomy 
regions  of  the  shades,  and  let  the  guarded  gates  afford  an  easy 
access  to  the  upper  world.  Orpheus  appeased  the  unrelenting  mas- 
ters of  the  shacks  with  music  and  with  suppliant  prayer,  while  he 
regained  his  lost  Eurydice.  The  art,  which  had  before  drawn 
trees  and  birds  and  stones  along,  had  given  rivers  rest,  and  at  the 
sound  of  which  wild  beast's  had  stood  in  wonder,  now  beguiles  the 
shades  with  its  unwonted  music,  and  resounds  more  loudly  in  those 
silent  caves.  The  Thracian  women  weep  Eurydice,  the  tearless 
gods  bewail  her  fate,  and  judges,  who  with  sternest  brow  examine 
charges  and  inspect  old  criminals,  lament  Eurydice.  At  length 
the  arbiter  of  death  exclaims  "I  yield  :  go  to  the  upper  world  ;  but 
this  condition  I  impose  :  go  thou,  a  follower,  at  thy  husband's 
back  :  look  thon  not  back  upon  thy  wife,  until  the  light  of  day 
discloses  heaven  to  thee,  and  thou  art  at  the  gates  of  Spartan 
Tsenarus."  True  love  dislikes,  nor  will  endure  delay.  His  haste 
to  see  his  gift  deprived  him  of  it.  Force  can  conquer  kingdoms, 
music  hath  subdaed.   [Exeunt.'] 


ACT    THIRD. 

SCENE  FIRST. 

Hercules. 

0  genial  god  of  light,  a  nd  glory  of  the  sky,  who  in  thy  beaming 
chariot  coursing  the  alternate  spaces  dost  reveal  thy  lustrous  head 
to  the  rejoicing  earth,  OP'hcebus,  pardon,  if  thine  eyes  have  aught 
of  ill  beheld  :  obedient  to  command,  I  brought  the  secret  things  of 
hell  to  light. ;  and  thou,  0»  arbiter,  and  father  of  the  gods,  with- 
draw thy  face  by  interposing  thunderbolts;  and  thou,  who  reignest 


17 

on  the  sea  with  power  next  to  Jove,  dive  to  its  lowest  depths!  Who- 
ever from  on  high  looks  down  upon  the  earth  and  fears  defilement 
from  the  strange  appearances,  let  him  avert  bis  sight  and  lift  his 
eyes  to  heaven  and  look  not  on  these  monstrous  deeds.  Let  her, 
who  gave  command,  and  him,  who  consummated  it,  alone  behold 
the  crime.  The  earth  is  too  contracted  for  my  punishments  and 
labors  :  driven  by  Juno's  hate,  I  have  explored  the  regions  hither- 
to unseen  by  man,  unknown  to  Phoebus,  and  those  gloomy  spaces, 
which  the  lower  world  assigned  to  Pluto  ;  and  I  might  jtjuta- had 
the— tl4pd?aIlQ,tted  emjakar-haa  it  becu  my  choice.  The  chaos  of 
eternal  night  and  something  far  more  dread  than  night  and  hell's 
stern  masters  I  have  concjuered  and  returned  in  scorn  of  death. 
What  more  remains  ?  I  have  beheld,  and  shown  the  shades.  If 
there  is  more,  command.  Why  dost  thou  let  my  hands  so  lone  be 
unemployed  ?  What  victory  dost  thou  enjoin  ?  Why  do  these 
hostile  soldiers  hold  the  temples,  and  the  dread  of  arms  invest  the 
sacred  porch  ? 


SCENE   SECOND. 
Amphitryon,  Megara,  Hercules,  Theseus. 

Amph. — Does  my  desire  delude  my  sight,  or  has  that  brave  sub- 
duer  of  the  world  and  pride  of  Greece  ascended  from  the  silent 
place  of  dismal  gloom  ?  Is  this  my  son  ?  My  limbs  are  numb 
with  joy.  My  son,  thou  art  our  sure  defence,  and  Thebes'  last 
refuge!  Do  Isee  him  lifted  to  the  earth,  or  do  I,  cheated,  feast  my 
eyes  upon  an  empty  shade  ?  And  art  thou  he  ?  I  know  thy  arms 
and  shoulders  and  thy  noble  hand,  that  wields  thy  heavy  club. 

Herc. — My  father,  whence  this  mourning  ?  Wherefore  has  my 
wife  put  on  a  mourning  garb  ?  Why  are  my  sons  bedaubed  with 
filth  so  foul?     What  grief  weighs  down  my  house? 

Amph. — Creon  is  slain;  and  Lycus  has  usurped  the  throne  :  thy 
sons,  thy  father  and  thy  wife  he  seeks  for  death. 

Herc. — Ungrateful  earth  !     Has  no  one  come,  assistance- to  the 

house  of  Hercules  ?     Has  the  defended  world  beheld  the  monstrous 

crime  ?     Why  waste  the  day  with  my  complaints  ?     The  villain 

must  be  slain! 

3 


18 

Thes. — Must  virtue  bear  this  brand,  and  Lycus  be  the  strong- 
est foe  of  Hercules  ?     I  go  to  spill  his  hostile  blood. 

Herc— Hold,  Theseus,  lest  some  sudden  power  oppress  thee  I 
Fighting  calls  for  me.  Put  off  thy  greetings,  father  :  hence  with 
thy  embrace,  my  wife  :  Lycus  must  bear  to  Pluto  news  of  my  re- 
turn.   [Exit  Here] 

Thes. — Put  off  thy  weeping  countenance,  O  queen,  and  thou, 
Amphitryon,  repress  thy  falling  tears  :  thy  son  is  safe.  It  I  know 
Hercules,  that  Lycus  will  give  due  redress  for  Creon's  death.  Will 
give  is  slow  :  he  gives  :  this  too  is  slow  :  he  has  already  paid  the 
penalty. 

Amph. — And  may  whatever  god  has  power  assist  our  prayer 
and  aid  our  falling  state.  O  brave  companion  of  my  noble  son, 
recount  the  hue  of  his  exploits,  how  long  a  way  leads  to  the  joy- 
less shades,  how  the  Tartarean  dog  endured  his  grievous  chains. 

Thes. — Thou  urgest  me  to  tell  of  deeds,  which  even  oae  of  quiet 
mind  would  shudder  at.  I  hitherto  have  scarcely  had  assurance  of 
the  vital  air  :  my  sight  is  dim  and  hardly  can  my  heavy  eyes  en- 
dure the  unaccustomed  light  of  day. 

Amph. — What  fear  is  treasured  in  thy  noble  soul  subdue,  0  The- 
seus, nor  deny  thyself  the  best  enjoyment  of  thy  toils.  The  mem- 
ory is  sweet  of  what  was  hard  to  bear  :  relate  the  dread  events. 

Thes. — I  pray  all  gods  of  hell,  both  thee,  who  rulest  iu  the  broad 
domain,  and  thee,  for  whom  thy  mother  vainly  sought  through  all 
the  woods  of  iEtna,  that  I  may  without  offense  unfold  the  secret 
laws  concealed  beneath  the  earth.  The  Spartan  land  lifts  up  a 
lofty  mountain  where  the  crowded  woods  of  Taenarus  approach 
and  overhang  the  sea  :  the  home  of  hated  Pluto  hear  unfolds  its 
mouth  and  a  deep  cavern  yawns  and  a  huge  chasm  with  mon- 
strous gulf  reveals  its  vast  abyss  and  gives  a  broad  descent  to  all 
mankind.  The  way  begins  at  first  not  dark  with  gloom  :  the 
brightness  of  the  day  just  left  behind  and  the  uncertain  glimmer 
of  the  disappearing  sun  falls  on  and  cheats  the  sight :  thus  day 
with  night  commingled  sheds  its  morning  and  its  evening  light. 
The  roomy  entrance  here  expands  in  wide  and  vacant  chambers, 
lost  in  which  the  race  of  man  entire  might  disappear.  Nor  is  it 
difficult  to  go  ;  the  very  path  impels  its  victims  down.  As  often 
tides  drag  on  unwilling  ships,  so  here  the  headlong  wind  and 
greedy  chaos  push  along,  nor  ever  does  the  greedy  realm  per- 
mit a  mortal  to  retrace  his  steps.     Within,   along  its  placid  bed  of 


19 

'ast  extent,  the  quiet  Lethe  glides  and  soothes  their  anxious  cares  j 
ind,  lest  there  be  a  better  chance  of  exit,  bends  its  sluggish  stream 
in  many  windings  :  as  the  wandering  Maeander  sports  with  its  in- 
constant current  aud  rests  back  upon  itself  and  stands  in  doubt, 
which  way  to  flow,  or  onward  to  the  sea,  or  backward  to  its  source. 
The  slow  Cocytus  rests  in  marshy  filth.  The  vulture  here,  and 
there  the  mournful  owl  and  the  foreboding  screech-owl  cry.  Dark 
foliage  frowns  with  dismal  look  upon  an  overhanging  yew-tree: 
where  sit  sluggish  Sleep,  and  doleful  Famine  prostrate  and  with 
wasted  jaw;  and  Shame  too  late  conceals  her  conscious  face  ;  and 
Fear  and  Terror,  Death  and  gnashing  Pain  and  dark  Despair 
and  tottering  Disease  and  War  with  sword  begirded  follow  in 
the  train  ;  and  hidden  in  the  farthest  recess  weary  Age  sup- 
ports his  steps  upon  his  staff. 

Amph. — Is  there  no  land  producing  grain  and  wine  ? 

Thes. — No  joyful  meadows  grow  with  verdant  breast,  no  full 
grown  corn-fields  wave  with  gentle  breezes,  nor  has  any  tree  a 
fruitful  branch  :  the  barren  waste  of  heavy  soil  lies  in  neglect, 
and  the  uncared-for  land  is  rigid  with  eternal  fallowness  :  the  far- 
thest mournful  boundary  of  earthly  things  is  here.  The  air 
stands  still,  and  gloomy  night  broods  over  all  the  sluggish  world. 
All  things  are  dark  with  gloom,  and  worse  than  death  itself  is  the 
abode  of  death. 

Amph. — On  what  throne  seated  does  the  king  of  those  dark 
places  rule  the  shades  ? 

Thes — Within  a  dark  recess  of  Tartarus  there  is  a^  place, 
which  heavy  clouds  invest  with  thickened  darkness:  here  two 
streams  flow  from  a  single  source:  the  sacred  Styx,  by  which  the 
gods  take  oath,  a  quiet  river,  glides  with  noiseless  motion :  Ach- 
eron with  current  irresistible  is  hurried  madly  on  with  rapid  vio- 
lence, and  with  its  flood  drags  rocks  along.  By  these  two  streams 
the  realm  of  Pluto  opposite  is  circled,  and  the  roomy  home  is 
sheltered  by  a  shady  grove  :  here,  in  a  cave  of  vast  extent,  the 
threshold  of  the  tyrant  lies  :  this  is  the  way  the  shades  must  go: 
this  is  the  entrance  of  the  kingdom,  which  a  plain  surrounds, 
where  sitting  wfth  a  haughty  look  he  separates  the  souls,  as  they 
arrive.  An  awe-inspiring  majesty  and  frowning  aspect  mark  the 
god,  which  notwithstanding  bears  resemblance  to  his  brother's, 
and  reveals  his  high  descent :  he  has  the  face  of  Jove,  but  of  the 
Thunderer.     No  little  part  of  the  stern  kingdom  is  the  king  him- 


20 

self,  by  whose  appearance  even   horrid    shades   are   struck   with 
terror. 

Amph.— Is  the  story  trne  that  justice  is  so  late  awarded  and 
that  wicked  souls  forgetful  of  their  crimes  receive  due  punish- 
rneut  ?     Who  is  this  judge  of  right  and  arbiter  of  justice  ? 

Thes — More  than  one  examiner  sit  on  their  lofty  seats  allotting 
to  the  trembling  criminals  their  late   awards  :  in  one   court-room 
they  come  before  the  Cretan  Minos,  in  another  Rhadamantus  :  in 
another  ^Eacus  examines  them.     What  each  has  done  he  suffers 
for  :  the  crime  seeks  out  its    perpetrator,  who  is  punished  as  his 
acts  demand.     I  have   seen   cruel   rulers  shut  in  prison,   and  the 
backs  of  helpless  tyrants  flogged  by  subjects'  hands  ;    but  he,  who 
gently  uses  power,  and  having  power  of  life  and  death  preserves 
his   hands  unstained  and  mildly   rules   his  bloodless  realm   and 
wastes  not  life,   a  long  time   travels  through  the  lingering  spaces 
of  a  blest  existence,  and  is  borne  to  heaven,  or  rejoicing  to  the 
happy  homes  of  the  Elysian   grove,  and  there  is  made  a  judge. 
0  ye,  who  rule  refrain   from   blood:   your  crimes   are  punished 
with  severer  penalties. 

Amph. — Does  a  sure  place  euclose  the  wicked  souls  Confined  and, 
as  the  story  says,  do  cruel  torments  vex  them  in  perpetual  bonds? 
Thes — Ixion,  tortured  on  a  swiftly  turning  wheel,  is  dragged 
around:  a  heavy  rock  rests  on  the  neck  of  Sisyphus:  the  old  man, 
Tantalus,  stands  in  the  river  and  with  thirsty  jaws  pursues  the 
waves:  they  wash  his  chin;  and  now  when  it  has  roused  his  oft- 
deluded  hope  the  water  vanishes,  when  in  his  mouth:  the  fruits  elude 
his  hunger:  Tityos  affordsithe  vulture  constant  food:  the  daugh- 
ters of  Egyptian  Danaus  bear  vessels  filled  in  vain  ;  and  Cadmus' 
wicked  daughters  wander   raving  ;  and  the   greedy  Harpy  spoils 
the  food  of  Phineas. 

Amph. — Relate   the   famous   battle  of  my  son.     Does  he  bear 
back  a  gift  his  willing  uncle  gave,  or  spoil  ? 

Thes. — A  gloomy  rock  impends  above  the  quiet  river,  where 
the  surges  stiffen,  and  the  sluggish  waters  lie  in  torpid  sleep  :  a 
foul  old  man  of  horrid  dress  and  aspect  here  waits  at  the  stream 
and  bears  the  trembling  shades  across  :  his  beard  hangs  down  un- 
combed, a  knot  confines  his  robe  in  ugly  folds,  his  sunken  eyes 
glare  with  a  lurid  look.  With  a  long  pole  this  ferryman; tirects 
his  boat.  He  binds  his  bark  late  emptied  of  its  burden  to  the 
whore  and  seeks  another  load  of  shades  ;  but  Hercules  demand  * 


21 


passage  and  the  crowd  give  way.  Dread  Charon  cries  out 
"  Whither  dost  thou  go,  audacious  mortal;?  Stay  thy  hasty  stepl" 
Alcmene's  son  enduring  no  delay  subdued  the  boatman,  beat 
him  with  his  pole  and  leaped  upon  the  stern.  The  over-laden 
boat  for  nations  ample  sunk  beneath  the  weight  of  one,  and  drank 
on  either  hand  the  Lethe  in  with  dipping  sides.  The  conquered 
monsters  quake  with  fear,  the  savage  Centaurs  and  the  Lapithae 
aroused  to  battle  by  excess  of  wine.  Then  crouching  in  the  far- 
thest corner  of  the  Stygian  pool  the  savage  beast  of  Ltrne  hides 
his  reproducing  heads  Beyond  the  home  of  greedy  Pluto  lies  : 
here  the  ferocious  Stygian  dog  affrights  the  shades,  which  clap- 
ping his  three  heads  together  with  terrific  noise  keeps  guard  be- 
fore the  realm  :  snakes  lick  his  head  besmeared  with  gore,  his  mane 
is  terrible  with  serpents,  and  the  long-drawn  dragon  hisses  with 
his  twirling  tail:  his  rage  is  like  his  form.  When  he  perceives 
the  moving  of  the  feet  of  Hercules,  he  lifts  his  foretop  bristling 
with  the  shaken  serpents  and  receives  the  sound  with  eager  ear, 
accustomed  to  detect  the  motions  even  of  the  shades.  But  when 
the  son  of  Jove  came  nearer,  scarcely  knowing  where  to  turn,  the 
dog  crouched  in  a  cave,  and  both  were  filled  with  fear.  But  lol  he 
rouses  up  those  silent  places  with  his  boisterous  barking  and  the 
serpents  hiss  on  all  his  shoulders  and  the  roaring  of  his  dreadful 
voice  sent  from  his  triple  mouth  makes  even  happy  souls  afraid. 
Then  Hercules  unloosed  the  lion  skin  from  his  left  hand,  held 
the  Nemsean  head  before  himself,  and  screened  himself  behind 
the  strong  defense  :  in  his  victorious  hand  he  wields  the  heavy 
club,  now  here,  now  there,  "with  tireless  strength  repeats  his 
blows  :  the  conquered  dog  suppressed  his  threats,  and  wearied 
out  hung  down  his  heads  and  yielded  all  the  cave.  Both  rulers 
sitting  on  their  thrones  were  terror-strnck  and  ordered  him  an  en- 
trance ;  and  wdien  Hercules  required  a  gift,  they  gave  me  up 
to  him.  Then  stroking  with  his  hand  the  monster's  massive  necks 
lie  bound  him  with  an  adamantine  chain.  The  dog,  the  ever- 
watchful  guardian  of  the  gloomy  realm,  forgetful  of  his  wonted 
fierceness,  fearful  dropped  his  ears  and  let  himself  be  dragged 
along,  and  owning  him  his  master  followed  with  submissive  look,, 
and  lashed  his  body  with  his  snaky  tail.  But  when  we  reached 
'  the  mouth  at  Tgenarus,  and  when  the  gleaming  of  the  unaccus- 
tomed light  fell  on  his  eyes,  the  prisoner  took  new  courage  and 
with  raging  shook  his  ponderous  chains:  he  pushed  his  victor  from 


22 

his  footing,  threw  him  reeling  back  and  almost  carried  him  away. 
Then  Hercules  besonght  my  aid,  and  we  compelled  the  dog  drag- 
ged out  by  our  united  strength  and  mad  with  rage  aud  trying 
vain  resistance  to  the  open  world;  and  when  he  saw  the  shining 
heavens  and  the  lucid  spaces  of  the  brilliant  sky,  he  closed  his 
eyes,  shut  out  the  hateful  light  and  struggled  toward  the  ground 
with  all  his  necks,  theu  thrust  his  head  beneath  the  shadow  of  Al- 
cides'  form.  But  a  close  crowd  approach  with  joyful  clamor 
bearing  laurel  on  their  brows  and  sing  the  well-won  praises  of  the 
noble  Hercules. 


SCENE    THIRD. 


CHOKCS. 


Eurystheus,  born  by  hastened  birth,  bad  ordered  him  to  penetrate 
the  depth  of  the  infernal  regions  :  this  alone  was  wanting  to  the 
number  of  his  labors,  to  despoil  the  third-allotted  empire's  king. 
He  dared  go  in  the  gloomy  entrance,  where  the  weary  way  and 
horrid  with  its  blackening  groves,  but  crowded  with  a  thronging 
multitude,  leads  to  the  distant  regions  of  the  dead.  As  great  a 
crowd  as  rush  through  cities,  eager  for  the  sports  of  a  new  theatre: 
as  great  as  hasten  to  the  shrine  of  the  Olympic  Thunderer,  as  great 
as  throng  the  secret  festival  of  Ceres,  when  the  Attic  priesthood 
summoned  leave  their  homes  and  haste  to  celebrate  the  night,  and 
when  the  season  of  long  nights  approaching,  even-balanced  Libra 
hastening  to  lengthen  out  the  quiet  hours  of  sleep  holds  Phoebus' 
chariot:  so  great  a  multitude  are  driven  through  those  silent  plains: 
some  come  advancing  with  a  feeble  step,  weary  and  sated  with  pro- 
ed  life  ;  and  some  as  yet  cf  stronger  years  come  hither,  virgins 
yet  unmarried,  youths  with  hair  uncut,  and  infants  scarcely  taught 
the  name  of  mother  :  these  are  suffered,  that  they  may  not  fear, 
to  bear  a  torch  and  thus  relieve  the  darkness.  Others  grope  on 
mournful  through  those  gloomy  places  with  such  feeling  as  we  have 
in  darkness,  when  we  sadly  feel  as  if  the  weight  of  all  the  earth 
were  pressing  on  our  heads.  A  wide  chaos  and  filthy  darkness 
and  the  dismal  gloom  of  night  and  solitude  of  the  still  world  are 
there.  May  age  conduct  us  thither  late  !  No  one  can  reach  that 
)lace  too  late,  whence,  when   he  once   has  come,  he  never  can  re» 


23 

turu.  Why  haste,  inexorable  Fate  ?  All  this  vast  multitude, 
who  roam  ou  earth, shall  thither  go  and  spread  their  sails  upou  the 
slow  Coeytus.  All  things  grow  lor  thee,  O  Death,  whatever  ris- 
ing Phoebus,  or  his  setting  beams  behold  ;  but  spare  the  coming 
souls  !  We  are  prepared  for  thee  :  though  thou  art  slow,  still  we 
are  hurried  on.  The  earliest  hour  of  life  begins  the  work  of  death, 
A  day  of  rejoicing  is  present  to  Thebes  :  let  suppliants  come  to 
the  altars  :  fat  victims  be  slain  ;  and  the  brides  and  the  bride- 
grooms together  awaken  the  festival  dance:  let  the  tillers  of  the 
grain -covered  helds  lay  aside  their  hard  labor  and  rest.  From  the 
East  to  the  West  and  where  Phoebus  looks  down  from  his  loftiest 
hight  and  refuses  our  bodies  a  shadow  a  peace  is  established  by 
Hercules'  baud  ;  and  the  land  the  long  winding  of  ocean  enconi' 
passes  Hercules'  power  has  subdued.  He  has  traversed  Tarta- 
rean depths,  and  returned  from  the  conquered  infernal  domain. 
Now  no  terror  remains.  There  is  nothing  beyond  the  Tartarean 
realm.  On  thy  bristling  locks,  O  priest,  let  delectable  poplar  be 
bound.     [Exeinit.] 


ACT    FOURTH. 

SCENE  FEttST. 

Hercules,  Theseus,  Amphitryon,  Megara. 
Herc. — Lycus,  by  my  avenging  right  hand  slain,  has  struck  the 
earth  with  downward  face  :  then,  who  had  been  accomplice  of  the 
tyrant,  fell,  companion  of  his  punishment.  Now  will  I  bring  a  sac- 
rifice to  Jove  and  to  the  other  gods,  and  worship  at  the  altars 
worthy  of  the  victims  slain.  Thee,  thee,  companion  and  assistant 
of  my  labors,  I  invoke  war-loving  Pallas,  in  whose  hand  the  JEgis 
with  its  petrifying  image  sends  forth  savage  threats  ;  and  may 
Lycurgus'  victor  and  the  Red  Sea's  conqueror  be  present  with 
his  spear  entwined  with  verdant  vine  and  ivy  ;  and  the  twin  di- 
vinities, Apollo  and  Diana,  skilled,  Diana  more  with  arrows 
and  Apollo  with  the  lyre  ;  and  may  whatever  brother  dwells  in 
heaven,  but  Juno's  sons,  be  present.  Call  the  fattened  flocks  I 
What  India's  corn-fields  bear  and  what  the  Arabs  gather  from 
their  fragrant  trees  pile  on  the  altars :  let  luxurious  incense  rise. 
Let  poplar  branches  deck  my  hair  :  the  olive  sacred  in  thy  native 


/ 


'24 

"and  adorn  thee,  Theseus.  My  hand  shall  adore  the  Thunderer  ; 
and  thou  the  founders  of  city  and  the  woody  caves  of  Zethus 
and  the  fountain  Dirce  of  delightful  water  and  the  Tyrian  lares 
of  the  stranger  king.     Give  incense  to  the  flames. 

Amph. — My  sou,  first  purify  thy  hands  all  dripping  from  the 
bloody  slaughter  of  the  enemy. 

Heru — Would  that  I  might  pour  to  the  gods  the  hateful  ty- 
tant's  blood.  No  more  acceptable  libation  could  have  touched 
the  altars  :  no  more  pleasing  sacrifice  and  richer  can  be  offered 
Jove  than  unjust  kings. 

Amph. — Pray  that  thy  father  end  thy  labors  :  let  repose  be 
sometime  given  to  the  wearied. 

Herc. — I  will  offer  prayers  becoming  Jove  and  me.  Let  heaven 
and  earth  and  air  stand  in  their  wonted  places  :  let  the  stars 
pursue  their  unobstructed  courses  :  let  a  peace  profound  refresh 
the  nations:  let  the  labor  of  the  peaceful  country  all  the  steel  en- 
gross :  let  swords  be  sheathed:  let  no  tempestuous  storms  disturb 
the  sea:  no  fire  leap  forth  from  angry  Jove:  no  river  swollen 
with  the  wintry  snow  lay  waste  the  deluged  fields:  may  poisons 
cease:  may  no  weed  grow  with  noxious  sap:  may  no  unjust  and 
cruel  tyrant  reign.  If  Earth  will  sometime  bring  forth  any  mon- 
ster, may  it  hasten;  and  if  any  is  preparing,  be  it  mine.  [Be- 
comes mad.]  But  what  is  this?  The  noon-day  is  shut  in  with 
darkness.  Phoebus  goes  with  darkened  face  without  a  cloud  ! 
Who  is  it  driving  back  the  day,  and  who  pursues  it  to  the  rising? 
Wherefore  does  strange  night  thrust  out  her  darkling  head  ? 
Whence  do  so  many  stars  fill  up  the  mid-day  sky?  Behold  1  in  a 
-conspicuous  part  of  heaven  Leo,  my  first  labor,  shines  and  glows 
all  over  in  his  raging  and  prepares  to  bite:  he'll  seize  some  con- 
stellation: threatening  with  his  monstrous  mouth  he  stands  and 
blows  out  fire  and  tosses  round  the  mane  upon  his  yellow  neck: 
whatever  fruitful  Autumn  bears  and  Winter  with  its  icy  spaces 
he'll  leap  over,  at  a  bound  and  fall  upon  and  crush  the  neck  of 
vernal  Taurus. 

Amph. — O,  what  sudden  evil's  this?  Why  dost  thou  turn  thy 
staring  face  about  ?  Dost  thou  behold  a  false  sky  with  a  turbid 
sight  ? 

Herc. — The  earth  has  been  subdued,  the  swelling  floods  have 
given  way  aud  the  infernal  regions  felt  my  power:  heaven  is  ex- 
empt, a  labor  worthy    Hercules.     Let  me  be  borne  aloft  among 


25 

the  distant  regions  of  the  sky  !  Let  me  direct  my  course  to 
heaven  !  My  father  promises  a  seat  in  heaven:  what  if  he  refuse  ? 
The  earth  canuot  bind  Hercules,  and  now  at  length  returns  him 
to  the  gods  above.  Behold  the  whole  assemblage  of  the  gods, 
but  Juno,  call  me  thither  of  their  own  accord  and  willingly  unfold 
the  doors.  Dost  thou  receive  me  and  unfold  the  gates,  or  must 
I  force  an  entrance  to  the  stubborn  heaven?  Is  there  hesitation? 
I  will  take  the  chains  from  Saturn,  and  will  let  him  loose  against 
the  helpless  kingdom  of  my  impious  father.  Let  the  furious  Ti- 
tans wage  their  war,  and  I  will  lead  them  on.  I'll  carry  rocks 
and  trees,  and  with  my  strong  right  hand  I'll  seize  the  mountains 
full  of  Centaurs.  Now  upon  the  heaped-up  mountains  I  will  make 
my  way  to  heaven.  Let  Chiron  see  his  Pelion  under  Ossa  !  And 
Olympus,  lifted  to  the  third  degree,  shall  reach  the  sky,  or  shall 
be  thither  hurled. 

Amph. — Turn  far  away  those  dreadful  sights  :  restrain  the  ra- 
ging fury  of  thy  maddened,  yet  majestic,  soul. 

IIerc. — What's  this  ?  The  baleful  giants  have  begun  their  war. 
Lo  !  Tityos  has  fled  the  shades  and  with  his  torn  and  empty  breast 
how  near  the  sky  he  stands!  Cithseron  totters,  high  Pallene 
quakes,  and  Macedonian  Tempe  trembles.  One  has  seized  thu 
hights  of  Piudus,  and  another  CEta  :  Mimas  rages  horribly.  The 
fiery-haired  Erinnys  sounds  with  heavy  blows  and  holds  the  fire- 
brands blazing  from  the  pyres  nearer  and  nearer  to  their  faces  : 
stern  Tisiphone,  with  serpent-guarded  head,  since  Cerberus  was 
dragged  away,  now  keeps  the  open  gate  with  threatening  torch.  [He 
sees  his  son.]  But  see  !  the  hated  tyrant's  offspring's  hidden  there, 
the  execrable  seed  cf  Lycus  !  This  right  hand  shall  send  thee  to 
thy  impious  father !  May  my  bowstring  hurl  swift  arrows. 
Thus  to  go  becomes  the  darts  of  Hercules. 

Amph. — How  far  has  blinded  fury  hurled  itself  ?  He  bent  his 
massive  bow,  and  when  the  ends  were  brought  together,  let  his 
arrow  fly  :  it  whizzes,  hurled  with  force,  and  passing  through 
the  middle  of  the  victim's  neck,  it  leaves  the  wound  behind. 

Herc. — I'll  root  out  all  the  remnant  of  the  race,  and  all  their 
hiding  places.  Why  delay?  A  greater  war  awaits  me  at  Mycense  : 
let  the  Cyclopean  rocks,  demolished  by  my  hand,  fall  down  and 
let  the  walls  be  laid  in  ruins,  and  the  bolts  be  broken,  and  the 
door  swing  to  and  fro,  the  door-posts  break,  and  let  the  roof  be 
hurled  upon  the  ground.  The  palace  is  laid  open  to  my  sight  : 
I  seea  son  of  the  accursed  father  hidden  there.   [Sees  another  son.} 

4 


2(5 

Amph. — Behold!  he  clasps  thy  knees  with  supplicating  hand,  en- 
treating with  a  piteous  voice  !  O  horrid  crime,  and  sad  and  ter- 
rible to  look  upon  !  He  seized  him  by  his  suppliant  hand, 
and  raging,  whirled  him  six  times  round  :  his  head  resounds  :  the 
roof  is  sprinkled  with  his  scattered  brain.  But  now  unhappy  Meg- 
ara  conceals  a  litte  son  within  her  bosom  and,  distracted,  flees 
her  hiding-place. 

Herc. — [To  Megara.]  Although  thou  flee,  and  hide  thyself 
in  Jove's  embrace,  from  whatesover  lurking  place  this  hand  shall 
seek  and  drag  thee  forth. 

Amph. — 0  wretched  woman,  whither  dost  thou  flee  ?  What 
flight  or  what  concealment  dost  thou  seek  ?  There  is  no  safe  re- 
treat from  Hercules  enraged.  But  rather  clasp  his  knees,  and 
try  to  soothe  him  with  caressing  prayer. 

Meg. — 0  spare  me  now  I  pray,  my  husband  !  Know  thy  Meg- 
ara !  This  son  reflects  thy  face  and  aspect.  Dost  thou  see  him 
stretch  his  hands  to  thee? 

Hf.rc. — [Supposing  she  is  Juno.']  I  have  my  father's  wife.  Go, 
satisfy  my  vengeance,  and  release  Jove  bound  by  a  disgraceful 
marriage  bond.     But  let  this  little  mouster  die  before  his  mother. 

Meg. — Whither  wilt  thou  madly  go  ?  Wilt  thou  pour  out  thy 

blood? 

Amph. — The  infant,  frightened  by  his  father's  fiery  visage,  died 

before  the  wound:  fright  snatched  his  breath  away.  And  now  the 
heavy  club  is  hurled  against  his  wife,  and  breaks  her  bones  :  her 
head  is  shattered  from  her  mangled  body,  nor  can  any  where  be 
found.  [  To  himself. .]  Durst  thou,  0  too  long-lived  old  man,  be- 
hold this  crime?  If  grief  is  hard  to  bear,  thou  hast  a  ready  death. 
[  To  Hercules.]  Turn  now  thy  darts  against  my  breast;  or  turn 
on  me  that  club,  which  thou  hast  spattered  with  the  blood  of 
monsters.  Put  away  thy  father,  false  and  shameful  to  thy  name, 
lest  he  impede  thy  praise. 

Thes. — Why  rush,  old  man,  to  slaughter?  Whither  dost  thou 
madly  go  ?  Flee,  hide  thyself,  and  from  the  hands  of  Hercules 
remove  one  crime. 

Herc. — I  am  content:  the  shameless  tyrant's  house  is  over- 
thrown. I  have  destroyed  this  household  consecrate  to  thee,  O 
wife  of  highest  Jove.  I  willingly  have  offered  prayers  becoming 
thee,  0  Jupiter;  and  Argos  shall  bring  other  victims. 

Amph. — Thou  hast  not  yet  satisfied  the  gods:  complete  the  sacri- 


\ 


27 

fice.  Behold  !  the  victim  stands  before  the  altars:  he  awaits  thy 
hand  with  bended  neck:  I  give  myself,  I  run  to  meet  thee,  I  pur- 
sue thee:  slay  mel  What  is  this?  His  eyesight  wanders,  sadness 
dims  his  vision.  Do  I  see  Alcides  quake  ?  His  face  hangs 
down  in  sleep:  his  weary  neck  inclines  with  lolling  head:  his  knees 
give  way  and  his  whole  body  falls  upon  the  ground:  as  ash-trees 
in  the  forest  felled,  or  mountain  masses  fall  to  form  a  harbor  in  the 
fioa.  Dnst  thou  still  live,  or  has  that  rage,  which  has  destroyed 
thy  family,  devoted  thee  to  death?  'Tis  sleep:  his  breathing 
heaves  his  body  with  alternate  motions.  Give  him  time  to  rest, 
in  order  that  his  furious  violence,  subdued  by  heavy  sleep,  may 
t ase  his  wearied  breast.  Remove  his  arms,  ye  slaves,  lest  in  his 
rage  he  get  them  back.  [Exeunt  all,  but  Here] 


SCENE    SECOND. 

CHOKUS. 

Let  heaven  mourn,  and  lofty  heaven's  exalted  father,  and  the 
fruitful  earth,  and  the  inconstant  wave  upon  the  fluctuating  sea; 
and  do  thou  mourn  before  all  others,  glowing  Titan,  who  through 
all  the  earth  and  regions  of  the  Ocean  scatterest  thy  beams,  and 
with  thy  shining  face  dost  put  the  uight  to  flight.  As  well  as 
thou,  has  Hercules  beheld  the  places  of  thy  rising  and  thy  setting, 
and  has  traversed  both  thy  homes.  Release  his  mind  from  such 
calamity,  release  it,  0  ye  gods!  Avert  his  mind  to  better  thoughts! 
And  thou,  0  sleep,  subduer  of  our  labors,  and  refresher  of  the 
mind,  the  better  part  of  human  life,  swift-winged,  Astrsea's  off- 
spring, languid  brother  of  unyielding  death,  who  minglest  truth 
and  lies  together,  sure,  though  most  ill-boding,  prophet  of  the  fu- 
ture, father  of  all  things,  haven  of  life,  refresher  of  the  day,  com- 
panion of  the  night,  who  comest  to  the  king  and  slave  alike,  0 
calm  and  gentle  sleep,  refresh  the  wearied  Hercules!  Thou  dost 
compel  the  race  of  man  afraid  to  die  to  know  a  lingering  death. 
Oppress  him  bound  in  deep  unconsciousness!  Let  torpor  rest  on 
his  unconquered  limbs,  nor  let  it  leave  his  cruel  breast,  until  his 
former  mind  resumes  its  wonted  course.  Behold  he  lies  upon  the 
ground,  revolving  savage  dreams  in  his  ferocious  breast,  (the  fierce- 


26     * 

ness  of  his  madness  has  not  yet  subsided,)  and  accustomed  to  re-^ 
cline  bis  weary  bead  upon  his  heavy  weapon,  seeks  his  club  with 
empty  hand,  and  tosses  rouud  his  arms  with  useless  violence. 
The  angry  tumult  is  not  yet  subdued,  but  like  the  sea,  when  rous- 
ed by  furious  Notus,  long  continues    raging,   and  although  the 
wind  has  ceased,  it  surges  still.     Quell  the  wild  billows  of  his  soul: 
let  piety  and  bravery  return;  or  rather  let  his  mind  be  roused  by 
the  insane  commotion.     Let  blind  fury  cease  as  it  began.     Insan- 
ity alone  can  prove  thee  innoceut.    The  nearest  state  to  inno- 
cence is  an  unconsciousness  of  crime.     Now  let  his  breast  resound 
with  blows  inflicted  by  the  hand  of  Hercules:  let  blows  be  struck 
upon  those  shoulders  wont  to  bear  the  skies:  let  heaven  hear  his 
heavy  groanings,  and  the  queen  of  the  infernal  regions,  and  that 
Cerberus,    whose   necks  are   bound    with  heavy    chains,  which 
crouches  in  the  deepest  cave.     Let  chaos,  and  the  broad  expanse 
of  Ocean,  and  the  air,  which  would  more  righteously  have  felt  thy 
darts,  reverberate  the   mournful  sound.     The  breast,  beset  with 
sins  so  grievous,  must  be  struck  by  no  light  blow:  let  the  three 
realms  resound  his  groans.     And  thou,  strong  arrow,  which  hast 
hung  so  long,  a  glory  and  protection,  on  his  neck,  and  loaded 
quiver,  beat  his  savage  back  with  cruel  blows;  and  let  the  oak 
bruise  his  brave  shoulders,  and  the  heavy  club  oppress  his  breast 
with  cruel  knots:  his  arms  must  drive   away  so  cruel  grief.    Ye 
boys,  who,  though  not  sharers  of  your  father's  praise,  by  impious 
violence  have  fallen,  expiation  for  the  death  of  kings,  not  taught  to. 
bend  your  limbs  in  Grecian  wrestling  schools,  unskilled  to  use  the 
caestus  and  the  fist,  but  who  have  learned  to  send  the  flying  ar- 
row from  the  Scythian  quiver,  hurled  with  an  unerring  hand,  to. 
pierce  the  bounding  stag,  and  to  transfix   the  backs  of  young 
wild  beasts,  go  to  thj  havens  of  the  Styx,  go  shades,  go,  inno- 
cents, whom  murder  and  paternal  fury  crushed  on  life's  first  thresh- 
holdl     Go,  unhappy  children,  through  the  gloomy  place  of  the 
renowned  exploit!     Go,  seek  the  angry  gods! — [Exeunt.] 


29 
.ACT    FIFTH. 

SCENE  FIRST. 

Hercules,  Amphitryon,  Theseus. 

Herc. — Wliat  place  is  this,  what  region,  quarter  of  the  world? 

Where  ami?  Near  the  rising  of  the  sun,  or  under  where  the 
Bear  revolves  around  the  frozen  pole?  Or  docs  the  farthest  shore 
of  the  Hesperian  sea  impose  this  limit  to  the  Ocean?  What  air 
supplies  my  breath?  What  ground's  beneath  my  weary  feet?  I've 
certainly  returned.  Whence  do  I  see  these  bloody  bodies  strewn 
before  my  house?  Or  do  infernal  images  still  linger  in  my  mind? 
A  ghostly  throng  hover  before  my  eyes  even  after  my  return.  I 
am  ashamed  of  the  confession,  but  I  fear  I  know  not  what:  my 
mind  presages  some  calamity.  Where  is  my  father?  Where  is 
is  my  brave  wife,  and  band  of  children  ?  Why  is  my  left 
side  uncovered  by  the  lion's  spoil?  Whither  has  gone  my  cover- 
ing, which  was  the  easy  couch  for  Hercules'  repose?  Where  is 
my  bow?  Where  are  my  arrows?  Who  could  take  from  me  alive 
my  arms?  Who  has  borne  off  such  spoil?  Who  has  not  feared 
the  very  sleep  of  Hercules?  Show  me  my  conqueror!  Come  forth 
thou  brave  one,  whom  thy  father  coming  late  from  heaven  begot, 
and  for  whose  birth  a  longer  night  was  given  than  for  mine! 
What  crime  do  I  behold?  My  sons  cut  down  in  bloody  slaugh- 
ter lie  around:  my  wife  is  slain.  What  Lycus  holds  the  scepter? 
Who  has  dared  to  plot  such  crimes  at  Thebes  on  Hercules'  return? 
0  Ye,  who  dwell  upon  the  banks  of  the  Ismenus,  and  the  Attic 
plains,  and  realms  of  the  Dardanian  Pelops  lashed  by  seas  on 
either  side,  assist!  Reveal  the  author  of  the  cruel  slaughter  ! 
Let  my  anger  rush  on  all:  he  is  my  enemy,  who  will  not  show 
my  enemy?  Dost  thou,  0  conqueror  of  Hercules,  lie  hid?  Come 
forth!  Whether  then  comest  an  avenger  of  the  savage  Thracian's 
bloody  chariots,  or  of  the  herd  of  Geryon,  or  of  the  Libyan  kings 
do  not  delay  the  battle.  See,  I  stand  unarmed:  with  my  arms 
even,  I  permit  thee,  to  attack  me  stripped  of  all  defence.  Where- 
fore do  Theseus  and  my  father  flee  my  sight?  Why  hide  their 
faces?  Wipe  away  thy  tears!  O  tell  me,  who  consigned  my 
house  to  death?  Why  art  thou  silent,  0  my  father?  But  do  thou, 
O  Theseus,  tell  me  with  thy  wonted  faithfulness  !   Both  hide  their 


30 


fares,  and  in  secret  weep.  What  calls  for  shame  in  such  calami- 
ties? What!  have  that  head-strong  conqueror  ot  Thebes,  and  Lycus' 
hateful  troop  destroyed  my  household  with  such  bloody  violence? 
I  pray  thee,  by  the  glory  of  my  deeds  and  by  thy  name's  authori- 
ty propitious  always  to  me,  who  has  killed  my  family?  Whose 
spoil  am  1? 

Amph. — Let  these  misfortunes  pass  in  silence  thus. 

Hkrc — Shall  1  be  unavenged? 

Amph. — Vengeance  is  often  injury. 

Herc. — But  who  has  ever  quietly  endured  so  great  calamities? 

Amph — He,  who  has  dreaded  greater. 

Hekc. — What,  my  father,  greater  or  severer  can   lie  feared? 

Amph. — How  little  part  thou  knowest   of  thy  loss! 

Herc. — My  father  pity  me!  I  stretch  my  supplicating  hands 
to  thee:  but  why  is  this?  He  flees  my  touch  !  [Looking  upon 
his  hands.]  Here  lies  the  crime.  Whence  came  this  blood!  Why 
drips  that  arrow  with  their  youthful  blood?  I  see  my  weapons 
stained  with  the  Lernaean  gore:  I  clo  not  ask,  what  hand  has 
hurled  them.  Who  could  bend  my  bow,  or  what  right  hand  could 
draw  the  string,  which  scarcely  yields  to  me?  I  turn  again  to 
thee,  my  father,  is  this  crime  my  deed?  They  speak  not:  it  is  mine. 

Amph. — The  grief  is  thine,  the  crime  belongs  to  Juno:  this  dis- 
aster lacks  a  fault. 

Herc. — Forgetful  of  me,  0  my  father,  hurl  thy  angry  thunder- 
bolts from  all  the  sky:  avenge  thy  grandsons  with  at  least  a  tardy 
hand :  let  the  star-burdened  heavens  resound  and  lightnings 
flash  athwart  the  sky;  and  let  the  Caspian  rocks  stretch  out  my 
body  bound  upon  them,  and  the  hungry  vulture  tear  my  breast ! 
Why  are  Prometheus'  cliffs  unoccupied?  Let  the  precipitous  and 
treeless  side  of  Caucasus,  which  feeds  wild  beasts  and  vultures  on 
its  spacious  summit,  be  prepared  for  me.  Let  the  Symplegades, 
which  narrow  down  the  Scythian  Sea,  extend  upon  the  deep  my 
hands  bound  here  and  there,  and  when  with  alternating  motion 
they  approaching  strike  together,  dash  the  intervening  water  to 
the  sky,  there  let  me  lie,  a  restless  barrier  between.  Why  do 
I  not  heap  up  a  pile  from  the  collected  grove,  and  burn  my  body 
stained  with  impious  blood?  Thus,  thus  I  will  do:  Hercules 
shall  seek  the  shades. 

Amph. — His  mind  has  not  recovered  from  the  wild  commotion: 
he  has  turned  his  anger,  and  as  phrenzy  is  accustomed,  rages  now 
against  himself. 


3i 

Herc. — If  tliere  exist  dread  haunts  of  Furies  and  a  prison  of 
mferuals  and  a  habitation  for  the  wicked  multitude,  and  any  place 
tf  banishment  beyond  the  lower  world,  unknown  to  Cerberus  and 
me,  conceal  me  there,  0  Earth  !  The  farthest  bound  of  Tartarus 
shall  be  my  dwelling  place.  O  too  unfeeling  breast  !  O  who, 
my  sons,  shall  worthily  lament  you  strewn  through  all  my  home? 
My  eyes  inured  to  evils  know  not  how  to  weep.  Give  me  my 
sword,  give  me  my  arrows,  bring  my  heavy  club.  To  you  I'll 
break  my  weapons:  I  will  break  my  bow  to  you,  my  sons,  and  to 
you  shades  my  heavy  club  shall  burn:  my  very  quiver  filled  with 
the  Lerngean  arrows  shall  be  placed  upon  your  funeral  piles:  my 
arms  must  suffer  for  their  deeds  ;  and  I  will  burn  your  wretched 
bodies  also  with   my  darts.     0  cruel  hands! 

Thes.— Has  ever  any  one  applied  the  name  of  crime  to  madness? 

Herc.— Often  grievous  madness  has  obtained  the  place  of  crime. 

Thes. — There  now  is  need  of  Hercules  r  endure  this  great  cala- 
mity. 

Herc. — My  shame  has  not  so  ended  with  my  phrensy,  that  I 
wish  to  put  to  flight  all  nations  with  my  impious  face.  My  arms, 
my  arms,  0  Theseus,  taken  from  me,  I  demand  that  they  be  quick 
returned.  If  I  am  sane,  return  my  weapons  to  my  hands  :  if  mad- 
ness yet  remains,  my  father,  leave  me  :  I  will  find  a  way  of  death. 

Amph. — By  the  religion  of  our  race,  by  the  authority  of  both 
my  names,  whether  thou  callest  me  thy  foster-father,  or  thy  parent, 
and  by  my  gray  hairs  respected  by  the  pious,  I  beseech  thee, 
spare  my  lonely  age  and  weary  years  !  Preserve  thyself,  the  only 
pillar  of  our  fallen  house,  the  only  light  to  me  afflicted  with  ca- 
lamities !  No  fruit  has  come  from  thy  exploits  :  precarious  seas 
or  monstrous  beasts  have  been  my  constant  fear :  whatever  cruel 
tyrants,  noxious  with  their  hands  or  altars,  rage  in  all  the  earth 
I  fear.  Thy  father  asks  for  the  enjoyment  and  companionship  of 
thee,  my  always  absent  son. 

Herc. — There  is  no  reason,  why  I  longer  should  detain  my 
spirit  in  this  light,  and  still  delay  :  I  have  already  lost  my  every 
good  :  my  arms,  my  reputation,  wife  and  sons,  my  hands  :  even 
my  madness :  none  can  cleanse  my  tainted  soul :  the  stain  must 
be  removed  by  death. 

Amph. — And  wilt  thou  kill  thy  father  too  ? 

Herc. — That  I  may  not,  I  die. 

Amph. — Before  thy  father's  eyes  ? 


32 

Herc. — 1  have  taught  him  to  look  on  crime. 
Amph. — Look  rather  on  thy  memorable  deeds,  and  ask  forgive- 
ness of  thyself  for  this  one  fault. 

Hf.rc. — Shall  he,  who  never  pardoned  others,  now  forgive  him- 
self ?  Commanded,  I  have  done  praise-worthy  deeds  ;  but  this 
alone  is  mine.  Help  me,  my  father,  whether  piety,  or  stubborn 
Fate,  or  injured  virtue's  honor  move  thee  :  bring  my  arms  :  let 
Fortune  be  subdued  by  my  right  hand. 

Thes. — A  father's  prayers  are  surely  efficacious,  but  be  moved 
by  my  entreaty.  Rouse  thyself  and  crush  these  sad  misfortunes  with 
thy  wonted  force  !  Resume  thy  mind  unequal  to  no  fate  !  Now 
thou  must  act  with  greatest  courage  :  let  not  Hercules  be  furious. 

Herc. — If  I  remain  alive,  I  have   committed  crimes  ;  but  if  I 

;die,  I  have  endured.     I  haste  to  purge   the   earth.    Just  now  an 

impious  monster  cruel,  fierce,  and  savage  hovers  in  my  sight:   come 

tin,  right  hand,  begin  the  monstrous   labor   more   immense   than 

■  any  of  thy  twelve  !    Thou  coward,   art   thou   brave   alone  with 

'boys  and  trembling  mothers?     If  my  arms   are  not  returned  to 

me,  I  will  uproot  the  woods  of  Thracian   Pindus,  and   the  sacred 

groves  of  Bacchus,  and  drag  down  Cithseron's  bights,  and  burn 

them  with  myself ;  or  drag  down  all   the   roofs  and   houses  with 

their  masters,  and  the   Theban  temples  with  their  gods  upon  my 

body,  and  lie  hid  beneath  the  ruins  of  the  city  :  if  the  walls  cast 

down  should  fall,  an' easy  burden,  on  my  stubborn  shoulders,  and 

I  be  too  feebly  pressed  beneath  the  seven  gates,  I'll  drag  upon  my 

•head  the  ponderous  mass,  which  holds   the  center  of  the  universe 

and  separates  the  upper  from  the  nether  gods. 

Amph. — I  will  return  thy  arms. 

Herc. — That  word  is  worthy  of  the  sire  of  Hercules.  Behold! 
this  arrow  slew  my  son. 

Amph. — But  Juno  sent  that  arrow  from  thy  hand. 

Herc. — But  I  will  use  it  now. 

Herc. — See  how  my  heart  in  dreadful  apprehension  throbs  and 
beats  against  my  anxious  breast ! 

Herc. — The  arrow's  chosen, 
|  Amph. — Now,  remember,  thou  wilt  perpetrate  a  voluntary  crime. 

Herc. — Speak,  what  dost  thou  command  ? 

Amph. — Nothing  :  my  grief  is  safe.  Thou  only  canst  preserve 
a  son  to  me,  but  thou  canst  not  bereave  me.  I  have  passed  my 
greatest  fear.    Thou  canst  not  render  me  unhappy  ;  happy  though 


33 

thou  canst.  Determine  what  thou  dost  determine  so,  that  thou  may 
know  that  thy  position  and  thy  reputation  stand  upon  a  narrow 
and  unsafe  foundation.  Either  thou  wilt  live,  or  kill  me  too  : 
my  spirit,  light  and  weary  with  old  age  and  broken  by  misfor- 
tune hangs  upon  thy  first  reply.  Can  any  one  so  hesitate  to  give 
a  father  life  ?  I  will  endure  no  more  delay  :  the  sword  shall  pierce 
my  fated  breast.  Here,  here  will  lie  the  crime  of  conscious  Her- 
cules. 

Herc. — Now  spare,  my  father,  spare  !  Now  stay  thy  hand  ! 
{To  himself.)  0  valor  yield  !  Obey  thy  father's  voice  !  Let  this 
be  reckoned  also  with  the  deeds  of  Hercules  !  We'll  live  !  0 
Theseus,  lift  my  father's  limbs  bent  down  upon  the  ground  :  my 
impious  hand  shrinks  from  his  pious  touch. 
Amph. — [Taking  the  hand  of  Here.']  I  willingly  embrace  this 
hand  ;  and  leaning  on  it  will  I  go  away  ;  and  pressing  it  upon 
my  weary  breast  will  drive  away  my  grief. 

Herc. — What  place  shall  I,  an  exile,  seek  ?  Where  shall  I 
hide  myself  ?  What  Tanais,  or  Nile,  or  Tigris  furious  with  its 
Persian  wave,  impetuous  Rhine,  or  Tagus  flowing  turbidly  with 
Spanish  treasure  can  make  clean  my  hands  ?  Although  the  cold 
Mteotis  should  discharge  the  Northern  Sea  upon  me,  and  the  Ocean 
flow  across  my  hands,  the  crime  will  still  adhere.  [To  himself.] 
Into  what  lands  wilt  thou,  0 'impious  one,  retire?  Hast  thou 
the  rising  or  the  setting  sun  for  thy  retreat  ?  Known  every  where, 
no  place  of  banishment  remains.  The  world  avoids  me  :  star3 
shoot  from  their  wonted  courses  :  Titan  looks  on  Cerberus  with 
more  benignant  face.  0  faithful  friend,  O  Theseus,  seek  some 
far-off  secret  hiding-place  ;  and  since  so  long  a  judge  of  others' 
crimes  thou  lovest  criminals,  grant  me  in  turn  this  favor  well-de- 
served :  return  me  to  the  shades  below,  I  pray,  and  bind  me  with 
thy  chains !     I'll  hide  me  there.     But  even  that  has  known  me. 

Thes. — Our  land  waits  thee.  There  shall  Mars  restore  thy  hand 
to  arms,  acquitted  of  the  crime.  That  land,  0  Hercules,  which 
makes  gods  innocent,  invites  thee  home.    [Exeunt  omnes.] 


ERRATA. 

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